Cycle timer apparatus



July 29, 1941. H. THOMAS ET A1.

CYCLE TIMER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 7a my m 7M wM@ im w 0 M H. THOMAS ETAL 2,250,507

CYCLE TIMER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 29,1941.

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CYCLE TMER APPARATUS 4 Filed Aug. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 29,1941. H. THOMAS Erm.

CYCLE TIMER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 4193'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 55IllHilllIl gu n u n m u n n u u H1 n um u n un u 1| u s. mymfn f lfmmmmw/ V :MJT wmf; Mam www,

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July 29, 1941., H. THOMAS ETAL CYCLE TIMER APPARTUS Filed Aug. 20, 19576 Sheets-Sheet 5 .1.11 11| -l l- Il /m/EA/roffs /amas July 29, 1941. H.THOMAS ET AL CYCLE TIMER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Patented July 29, 1941 OFFICE crow 'mma APPARATUS Henry Thomas, RidleyPark, John M. Pearson,

Swarthmore, `and Edward J. Nopper, Lansdorme, Pa., assignors, by mesneassignments, to

lloudry Process Corporation, Wilmington, Del.,

a corporation of Delaware Application August 20, 1937, Serial No.16Q,122

3Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically timingthe operation of the valves which control the feed of iluids to and froma process involving catalysis, and relates more particularly to such adevice for automatically Itiming and actuating the valves passingvarious necessary fluids to. and from a catalytic chamber in whichhydrocarbon vapors are cracked or otherwise refined, and in which thecatalytic material is regenerated in situ after its activity during thecracking or refining portion of the cycle has become so impaired as tonecessitate its reactivation.

In the vapor phase c-atalyticcracking or reflning of hydrocarbons, thecatalyst becomes reduced in activity as the cracking cycle progresses,and after ya -time its activi-ty becomes so reduced that further passageof reactant fluids to the catalytic case or chamber results inuneconomiother inert gaseous medium. The catalyst, after I being purgedwith steam, is thenregenerated or reactivated by admitting an oxidizinggas, such as heated air, in order to burn the contaminating substances(principally carbon) from the catalyst.

move residual products 4of combustion and oxidizing medium from thecase. This, as in the case of the residual hydrocarbon vapors, iseffected by again purging the catalyst with steam, after which operationthe cycle begins again with the admission of hydrocarbon vapors to thecase to be cracked or refined.

Since the hydrocarbon vapors, purging steam,

and oxidizing medium enter the case at a com-4 mon inlet, flowtherethrough in the same direction, and leave the case at a commonoutlet, it is necessary that a very strict control be maintained on thevalves governing the admission and exit of these various fluids to andfrom the case. Since, in some instances the cycle may be car-A ried outin a half hour or less, it is readily apparent that a large number ofvalve actuating operations must be carried out within a short period oftime, and in a proper sequence. Fur? After the regeneration portion ofthe` cycle has been completed, itis necessary to re" ther, since thecracking or renlng portion of a `cycle is only from -15 minutes induration, it will be readily apparent that the catalytic chamber isperforming a useful function for only about 5 one-third of the cycletime. Therefore, in order to maintain a continuous flowof product froml0 passed into contact with a catalyst and then .to

' fractionating or other condensing means.

With the foregoing in mind, it is apparent that the number of valve'actuations is multiplied by three or more, depending upon the number ofc-atalytic cases or' chambers employed. Due 4to the complexity of suchan operation, it is necessary that .automatic timing means be employedfor the control and actuation of the various iluid controlling valves inthe system.

It ls therefore an object of the present invention to provide anvapparatwhich will automatically and effectively operate the valves for eachsingle catalytic chamber in timed sequence, as set forth above.

A further object isv to provide interlocking switch means to prevent theopening of a hydrocarbon vapor valve or an air or other oxidizing mediumvalve, at the same time, to thereby prevent the simultaneous flow of-two such fluids of an explosive mixture.

It is a further object of the invention to provide testing and alarmmeans to insure .the operation of a valve before the next valveoperation in sequence is carried out.

Other objects will be apparent as the description progresses, for whichpurpose reference may be had to the accompanying drawings of which:

the various relays and control buttons used in controlling theoperation;

Fig. 1B represents a wiring diagram including the various switches whichare operated by the movement of the valves employed to feed the variousfluids to and from the process, as well as a portion of the controlmechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing the actu-al timingmechanism for controlling and operating the valves;

Fig. 3 is a partial view of the commutator and contact arm includedtherein;

Fig. 4 is a partial front elevation of the tim- Figs. 5 and 6 areenlarged views showing in deeither into or out o'f the'case, and theformationV Fig. 1A represents a wiring diagram showingby the valve withthe top of 4the switch box removed.

Fig. 12 is an end view of a switch box.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the numeral I indicates a fixed circularcommutator having contacts 2 and insulating segments 3 therebetween.Commutator I is fixed to a support 4, and properly centered with respectto the balance of the mechanism by any means desired. Each of thecommutator bars or contacts 2 is connected by means of a wire 5 with aterminal board l in the rear of the commutator. Each of the wires lterminates in a jack, to which electrical connection may be made bymeans of a plug 1. In

the particular device to be described, the com-. mutator will have 270segments, to be used witha cycle time of approximately 45 minutes (2700seconds). In the front of the commutator I there is a shaft 3 whichincreases in diameter as shown at 8 carrying a contact wheel I0,electrically insulated from shaft 9 (Fig. 4) and a double toothed wheelII having two segments li and II" (Figs. 5 and 6) of Bakelite or similarinsulating material. The inner end of the shaft 9 carries acounterbalanced arm I2, which is suitably insulated therefrom and whichin turn carries brush I3 making a contact with the com` mutator bars 2,as the arm travels around the commutator. The brush, is electricallyinsulated from the arm I2 and is connected by wire i4, passing throughand insulated from toothed disc II, with contact wheel I0. A brush I1,which is connected by wire Il to switches I8 and I9' on the'periphery ofthe toothed disc, contacts collector ring IB, thereby passing currentcontinuously from wire I8 through brush I1 to the collector ring III andthence through wire I4 to the brushes contacting the commutator. Theshaft 8 has mounted thereon a large pinion 2li meshing with a smallpinion 2i mounted on iournaled shaft 22. The other end of Journaledshaft 22 has mounted thereon a large pinion 23 which in turn meshes witha smallpinion 24 mounted on shaft 25. The shaft 25 is fixed to a stubshaft 25 having a bayonet type coupling 21 to which may be affixed acrank 28 for manual operation. The shaft 25 passes through a gear andclutch box 29, which also has a shaft 30 passing therethrough andjournaled therein. Gearing. placed on the outside of gear box 25 at eachend thereof, connects the shaft 25 to shaft 3l! through a clutch havinga movable member 3i to fixed members 32 and 33, the movable member 3ibeing operated by reciprocating a rod 34 to which the movable member 1sconnected by ring 35. The gear trains between the shafts 25 and 30 maybe of different ratios so that either ratio may be employed byreciprocating the rod 34 to engage the movable clutch member with es ofnuts 36 0r F l1 as the case may be. One end of the shaft 30 has a clutchmember 3l affixed thereto adapted to engage another clutch member 39attached to the shaft of a synchronous motor 40. The synchronous motor4B is adapted to be moved toward or away from the gear box 29 by meansof a rod 4I to engage or disengage the clutch members 3l and 39.

The circular disc II Figs. 4, 5 and 6 heretofore mentioned, has afilxedto its periphery the two toothed similar insulating material annuli IIand II" by means of bolts 42 passing through slots 43 in each annulus bymeans of which the position of the toothed annuli with respect to eachother may be varied. Contacting the two annuli II and II" at theirperiphery are two switches vIl and I8 which are set to open and close atexactly the same time, one being a spare for the other. Each switch hasan upper member 44 and a lower member 45, each contacting one of thetoothed annuli. As the annuli are rotated by the shaft 8, the two springelements 44 and 4I will ride up upon the inclined surfaces of eachtooth. Referring now to Figs. 5 and 5. it will be' observed that if therotation is in a clock-wise direction, and the annuli are positioned asshown in Figs. 5 and 6, that spring member 44 will first reach the outerperiphery and that shortly thereafter member 45 will also reach theperiphery. Member 44 will shortly thereafter lose the support of theperiphery due to passing over one of the notched places, and will springdownwardly until the two contact buttons between members 4'4 and 45 hitand thereby close the circuit, so that an electrical I vcontact will bemaintained through members 44 and 45, until notched annulus II passes tosuch a position that member 45 will drop. At this time'contact will bebroken as member 44 cannot descend as low as spring member 45. From theforegoing it is apparent that when the synchronous motor 45 is pushedforward and clutch members Il and 3! are engaged that the arm I2carrying brush holder I3 will be revolved about commutator I and thatdisc Ii carrying notched annuli II and II" will also be rotated at thesame speed as will commutator or disc Iii. Since the current flows intothe upper element 44 of switch I4 and out through the lower element, andsince contact and the circuit therethrough can only be made at certainpredetermined positions of the annuli, II and II', these elements can beso adjusted that no current will flow to the brush II and through thecommutator bars 2 unless the brush I3 is positioned directly over asingle commutator bar 2. It is apparent that the annuli I I and I I' canbe so positioned that a circuit through the device just explained may bemade when the brush I3 is at any position on the commutator bars 2.

Each of the valves which it is desired to control is motor operated, andhas associated therewith a switch of the type diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1B and numbered 41 under the legend Air out. Eachswitch contains elements capable of opening or closing six circuits,three of which are open when the valve is in the onen position, and twoof which are open and one of which is closed when the valve is in itsclosed position. When the valve is either opening or closing, theswitch, which is operated by an armA 46 which is operated by abutmentson the Valve stem, is in a neutral position with the five uppermostcontacts closed, and the lowermost contact open. As soon as the valve`starts to open or 46 in the reverse direction, thereby operating theother portion of the switch mechanism. There are diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1B six switches such as 41 and designated Steam in,Vapor in, Vapor out, "Air in, Air out and Steam out.

In addition to the above described switch, each valve has associatedtherewith a torque switch which is adapted, as will be more fullydescribed, to open the power circuit to the motor. Each valve isoperated by a motor, only one of which is herein shown in conjunctionwith the steam outlet valve and designated 48. Controlling the currentsupply to motor 48 is a three-phase reversing switch diagrammaticallyillustrated and designated as 49, which is employed for the purpose ofreversing the rotation of the motor to open or close the valve as thecase may be. The switch is thrown to open or close the valve by means ofsolenoids 58 and 5| respectively. There is also diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1B the commutator I, collector ring I8, rotating armI2, and the disc carrying notched discs Il' and operating switch I9.There is further illustrated a series of signal lights. two for eachvalve, those for the valve designated Steam out being shown connected totheir proper switch elements, and noted R and G, R denoting the valve isin its open position, G denoting it in its closed position.

In Fig. 1A there is illustrated the Various relays, switches, etc., eachof which has a legend showing its function.

The current for the control circuits is obtained from power lines 55 and56, which may supply 110 volt, 60 cycle lcurrent to furnish power forcontrolling valves, indicating lights, operating the timer, andenergizing relays. Two circuit breakers 51 and 58 are supplied, the mainbreaker 51 being a two-pole breaker providing power for controlling theoperation of the various` valves, etc.

in case of trouble. It is desirable that the alarm be supplied'throughthis separate breaker in order to give warning should a short circuit orany other trouble develop which might cause the main breaker 51 to open.It is obvious that if the alarm were taken from the main breaker, then,when this breaker opened the alarm circuit would be dead and could giveno warning.

Assuming that breakers 51 and. 58 are open as shown. all controlcircuits will be dead and all rela-ys will be in their normalde-energized positions, as shown. Closing breaker 51 will make controlpower .available through lines 59 and 68, as far as contact points 6|and 62 of the automatic and manual relays 63 and 64 respectivelv.

Power will also be available through lines 65.

thus causing the alarm bell to ring.

If the alarm set button 19 is now pressed down,

y power will be available from line 65 through line 'Ihe breaker 58 issingle pole and is usedl only to furnish power to operate an alarm belll66, alarm set button 19 and line 88 to contact point 8| of the alarmrelay 69. Power will also flow through alarm relay coil 82 from line 88and thence through line 88 and contacts H5, ||6 of trip relay 84 andline 85 to line |44 and line 68,`

thus closing the circuit and energizing the alarm relay so that theswitch 1| thereof is pulled away from pole v12 and-now contacts withcontact point 81,. Likewise switch 88 of the alarm relay is now broughtinto contact with contact point 8|, so that as the alarm set button isreleased, current to the alarm relay coil 82 will be fed from line 66through line 61, switch 68 and contact point 8| to the relay coil 82,and

thence as heretofore described through line 83.

thus keeping this relay energized when the alarm set button 19 isreleased. In addition to the circuit through contacts ||5 and I6 of triprelay 84 for energizing alarm relay coil 82 there is a parallel circuitfrom 83 through 83a to switch |36, 68 to 59 which parallels and shuntscontacts ||5 and ||6 as long as the automatic relay is de-energized.

It is apparent that as the'relay switch 1| is disconnected from contactpoint 12, the circuit to the alarm bell 18 is broken if the alarm switch15 is resting on pole 16 thereof. Similarly, the circuit through thealarm light 14 is broken as relay switch 68 disconnects from contactpoint 12a. If alarm switch 15 happens to be resting on pole 98 of thealarm switch when the alarm relay is energized, and switch 1| contactscontact point 81, the circuit through the alarm bell will be closed andthe operator must then throw the alarm switch 15 over to engage pole16'so that the alarm bell is shut off, and the alarm switch 15 is in theproper position to give a warning should any trouble arise.

Assuming that it is desired tooperate manually, the timer motor 48 mustbe moved so that the clutch members 38 and 39 are disengaged.Disengaging the clutch will cause the motor to take the position shownin the drawings, so that switch 9| is closed, thus so long as the alarmrelay is energized power is available from line 66 through line 61,switch 68, contact 8| rand line 88 to stop button 92, thence throughlines 93 and 94, to switch 9|, thence through line 95 as far as themanual relay 64. If the manual push button 96 is now depressed, thecircuit will be closed through the manual relay coil 91, and light 98 inparallel therewith, and thence through lines 99, manual button 96 andline |88 to line 59. Since this circuit is now closed, the manual relaycoil 91. will be energized and switch point .|8| will be brought intocontact with switch point 62, while switch point |82 will bedisconnected from contact point |88 and brought into contact withcontact point |84. Since switch |82 is in contact with contact point|84, and'switch |8| is in contact with contact point 62, current fromline 59 will be available through line 68, contact point ual relay 64and thus separating switch |82 from l contact |83 opens the circuit tothe timer, power now being available from line 59 through line 68,contact point 62 and switch |8| and line |81 to `impulse button |86 andimpulse light |86a in' r'parallel therewith. When impulse button |86 isdepressed power is available through lines |88 and |89 to the timer andthe circuit for controlling the operation of the valves is closed ashereinafter described. It will be apparent that light |06a will burnonly when the brush |3 of the timer is in contact with a segment 2 ofthe commutator which is connected to a circuit for performing a valveoperation as hereinafter described, thus indicating to the operator thathis circuit is complete and he can depress button |06 for operation. Thelight, |06a, itself must be of low wattage in order to limit the currentavailable through it to the valve operating coils so they will not beoperated until the button |06 is depressed.

When it is desired to operate automatically, the timer motor 40 is movedinto position so that clutch members 33 and 33 are engaged, therebyclosing switch |30 so that power is available through line 93, switch|30 in line |3| as far as the automatic relay 63. Moving the timer motor40, so that the clutch members are engaged, opens switch 3|, therebybreaking the circuit through manual relay 64 so that this relay is nolonger energized and the switches controlled thereby return to theirnormal de-energized position shown in the drawings. When the automaticrelay button |32 is depressed, current will be available through theautomatic relay coil |33 from line |00, automatic push button |32, andline |34, thereby closing the circuit and energizing coil |33.

When the automatic relay coil |33 is energized, switch |35 is broughtinto contact with contact point 6|, and switch |36 is brought intocontact with contact point |31, thereby a circuit through the automaticrelay coil |33 from line |3| is closed through line |33, contact point|31, switch |36 to line 60 thereby keeping coil |33a and light |33 inparallel therewith, energized when the automatic push button |32 isreleased. likewise switch |36, when brought in contact with point |31,breaks contact with point 83a allowing all current for coil 82 of relay63 to flow through the contacts and ||6 of relay 34, thus renderingrelay 34 operative when on automatic control. Current is also suppliedthrough line 60 and switch |36 contact point |31 and line |33 to thetimer motor 40, thereby closing the circuit to the motor through lines36, |3|, switch |30, 33, button 92, 30, contacts 8| and 63, 61 and toline 65 and causing the same to operate. When the automatic relay isenergized, switch |35 is brought into contact with contact point 6| sothat power isnow available from line 53 through line 60, contact point6|, switch |35 and line |01 to switch |02, now in contact with contactpoint |03, and thence through line |03 to the timer. The operation ofthe, motor 40 causes the timer to operate thereby closing the circuitthrough the same and controlling the operation of the valves inthemanner hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now in particular to Fig. 1B, it is to be noted as heretoforestated, that each of the valves controlling the admission to, orwithdrawal of reactants from the reaction chamber is provided with aswitch mechanism controlling six circuits. These switches arediagrammatically shown in Fig. lB, and are designated Steam in, Vaporin, Vapor out, Air in, Air out, and Steam out. Each of these switches isshown in the position it would vbe when the valves are completelyclosed. For the sake of simplicity only the switch connected to theSteam out Valve will be described in detail. As stated, this switch isshown in its closed position, and therefore the circuit is closed to thegreen light 41, which burns when the Steam out valve is closed, thelights being fed directly from the supply lines 53 and 65. The line 65is connected to the bus line |23 and thence through line |22 and switch|45 and line |46 to light |41, the other side of the circuit being fromline 53 and lines 60 and |44, directly to the light |41. Should thevalve be completely open, the switch |45 will of course be open andtherefore the circuit through light |41 is broken. However, if such isthe case switch |4| is closed and therefore the circuit through redlight |43 is closed, and this will be burning, the circuit being asheretofore described, except that current from line 22 iiows throughswitch |4| and thence through line |42 to light |43, rather than throughswitch |45 and line |46. If the valve is midway between its full open orfull close position, both switches |4| and |45 will be closed andtherefore both lights |43 and |41 will -be burning. Similar lights areprovided for each of the valves, and the operator can thus tell at aglance whether the valve is fully opened or fully closed, or midwaybetween these positions. The lights being fed directly from the lines 53and 65 through circuit breaker 51 will, of course, be burning regardlessof the position of the manual or automatic relays and regardless ofwhether the alarm bell is energized when a test is made to determine theposition of the valves as hereinafter described in detail.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that when the motor 40 isset for automatic 0peration and the automatic relay 63 is closed, thatpower will be available through line |03 as far as the contact point |3on the timer, and that when the brush |3 is in contact with a commutatorsegment 2 of commutator these contact points will be closed and powerwill be available through the commutator segment 2 to whatever line thatparticular segment happens to be connected. Similarly, when the motor 40is positioned for manual operation andgth'e manual relay 64 is closed,power will be available as far as the manual impulse button |06 and whenthis impulse button is depressed, when the brush |3 is in contact with acommutator segment 2, power will be available through the commutator towhatever line this segment happens to be connected.

These switches 41 are shown in detail in Figs. l0, 11 and l2 andreference should be made to these figures for a complete understandingof their operation. The switches are enclosed in a switch box |30. Eachswitch consists of an upper and a lower spring member which areseparated from each other and adjacent switches by insulating blocks |3|which are held in assembly by bolts |32 passing through blocks |3| andbrackets 203 secured to switch box |60. Each switch member is connectedby a wire |33 to a terminal post |34. A shaft |35 journaled inthe switchbox and extending through one wall thereof, has an arm |36 mounted onits outer end, carrying at its free end a wheel or other proiection |31,adapted to engage projections on the valve stem. This arm |36 isnormally held in a horizontal position by springs 33. An arm 46 issecured to the shaft |35 within the switch box and carries on its freeend a wheel or bearing block |3| of insulating material such asBakelite, which is adapted to operate the switches. The switch |2| whichcontrols the current for operating the motor for opening, consists of anupper member |32 and a lower member 33. 'I'he yswitch |43 likewiseconsists of an upper member |34 and a lower member |35. The switch |45consists of an upper member |96 and a lower member |91, The switch |4|consists of an upper member |98 and a lower member |99. The switchconsists of an upper member 200 and a lower member 20|. 'I'he switch |60consists of an upper member 202 and a lower member 203. The arm |86outside the switch box and likewise the arm 46 within the switch box,are shown `in the position in which they are normally urged by thesprings |88 when the wheel |81 is not engag ing either of theprojections on the valve stem, in other words, these arms are in theposition which they assume when the valve stem is intermediate the fullyopened or fully closed position of the valve.

The wheel |9| on the arm 46 engages the upper member 96 of the switch|45 and the lower member |99 of the switch |4|. The upper members |92and |94 of the switches |2| and |48 respectively are held in spacedrelationship by an insulating post 204. Likewise upper members |94 and|96 of switches |48 and |45 respectively are held in spacedrelationshipby insulating post 208. The lower members |99 and 20| of theswitches |4| and respectively, are fastened together in spacedrelationship by insulating post 205, while the lower member 20| andupper member 202 of switches and |60, respectively, are fastenedtogether in spaced-relationship by insulating post 206. Insulatingbuttons 201 may be secured to either or both the upper or lower membersof adjacent switches which are not held in spaced relationship. As hereshown,

members |92 and |94 of switches |2| and |46 are f held in spacedrelationship thereto by insulating these buttons are secured to thelower members |93 and |95 of switches |2| and |48, respectively, toprevent accidental contact -being made between these members and theupper members |94 and- |96, respectively of switches |46 and |45. Aninsulating button 201 is likewise shown attached to upper member 200 ofswitch I to prevent accidental contact'between this member and lowermember |99 of switch |4|.

As here shown, when the valve is intermediate its fully opened or fullyclosed position, and therefore when the arm 86 is in a horizontalposition, the ve upper switches |2I, |46, |45, |4| and are closed, whilethe lowermost switch |60 is open. When the valve is closed a projectionon the valve stem, as it reaches its fully closed position, will hit thewheel |81 and therefore turn the arm |86 and arm 46, which is secured tothe same shaft, downwardly, thereby causing the wheel |9| to press thelower member of switch |4I downwardly and thus separating the twomembers of the switch and opening the switch. Since the lower member 20|of switch is held in spaced relationship to switch member |99, it willalso be pressed downwardly, thereby opening switch Since the uppermember 202 of switch |60 is held in spaced relationship to lower member20| by post 206, member 202 is' pressed downwardly, thereby closingswitch |60. The upper three switches |2|, |48 and |45 will remainclosed. As soon as the valve is started to` posts 204, these members arealso raised, thereby breaking the opening switches |2|, |48 and |45,whereas the three lowermost switches |4|, and will remain in the sameposition they occupied when the arm |86 was in a horizontal position, or4the upper twoA of these last named switches are closed while thelowermost is opened. It is to 'be understood that the specic switch justdescribed is merely one form of a switch which may be utilized and isnot intended to in any way limit the present invention.

To complete the description of the details of apparatus embodied in .thepresent invention, reference should now be made to Figs. 7 and 8, whichillustrate the valves. As shown, the valves comprise an ordinary wedgetype gate valve comprising a valve body 2|0 and wedge shaped gate 2| l.The valve is shown in its closed position with the gate 2l in itslowermost position, so that i-t abuts against the face plates 2|2 in thevalve body, thereby closing the passage through the valve. An annularchannel 2|,3 is provided in the valve body about the circumference ofthe gate 2|| and is in open communication with chamber 2|5 formed by thehemispherical cover piece 2|6. The gate 2|| is raised and lowered byvalve stem 2|1 which passes through chamber 2|5 and has suitable packingheld in place by packing nut 2|8 where the valve stem passes .throughthe cover plate 2|6. The upper portion of the valve stem is threaded andmotor 2 I9, suitably supported from the valve body, and operatingthrough suitable speed reducing gearing contained in gear box 220,raises and lowers the valve stem 2 1 in the manner customary in motoroperated valves.

An extension 22| is secured to the uppe'rend of the valve stem 2|1, andsuitable projections 222 and 223 are attached to the extension 22|.Preferably the ends of the extension 223 are threaded, and theprojections 222 and 223 take the form of nuts which may be verticallyadjusted on the extension. Suitable means, such as lock nuts, areprovided to hold the nuts 222 and 223 in their proper position ifdesired. As stated, the valve is shown in its lowermost position, sothat the extension 22| is likewise in its lowermost position. A plate224 is supported above the gear housing 220 by suita-ble means, such asby pipe 225 surrounding the extension 22|. Mounted on plate 224 isswitch box |80 and standard 225. A suitable housing 226 may be securedto plate 224 around the switch box |80 and a pipe 221, having cap 226,may be secured to the housing 226. The nut 223 on extension 22| is soadjusted that when the valve is in its closed position nut 223 willcontact wheel |81, carried by arm |86 of the i switch mechanismheretofore described, thereby lower members of switches and |4| to rise,n

As the valve depressing arm |86. Nut 223 likewise contacts and-depresses lever 229 supported by standard 225, thereby depressing link230 and lever 23|. An ordinary whistle valve 232 is mounted on the gearbox 220 and its stem 233 is adapted to be depressed by lever 23|.

Steam is admitted to the valve 232 through pipe 234, and when the valvestem 233 is depressed the valve is opened so that steam riow Iiows frompipe 234 through the valve 232 and out through pipe 2| 4 to the channel2|3 in the valve body 2|0. As soon as the valve has started to rise, itis, of course, apparent that the valve stem 2|1 will rise and extension22| carried thereby will likewise rise. The nut 223 on extension 22|will also rise and therefore the wheel |81 on arm |86 is raised to itshorizontal position by the action of spring |88. The whistle valve 232is normally actuated to a closed position by a spring and therefore thelever 229 is raised as the whistle valve stem 233 rises when the nut 223rises. When the valve gate 2 I I nears its uppermost position, theprojection 222 carried on extension 22| of the valve stem 2|1 contactsthe wheel |81 on arm |86 thereby raising the arm and thus affecting theoperation of the switches as heretofore described. However, since thelever 229 is already raised, it is not affected by the nut 222 onopening the valve. The steam is fed from line 234 through whistle valve232 and line 2I4, to the channel 2|3 surrounding the gate 2|| when thevalve is in its closed position, in order to prevent leakage ofreactants through the valve. Thus, assuming that reactants under fortypounds per square inch pressure are flowed through opening 235 of thevalve, steam or other inert fluid under a higher pressure, say fiftypounds per square inch, is supplied to the channel 2|3 so that in theevent of leakage'around the valve, all the leakage will be of an inertmedium and not of a reactant.

In order to describe the operation of the valves,

-the operation of the Steam out valve will now be described in detail,it being remembered that the operation of the other valves is similarunless otherwise specically noted. There are .four operations performedin operating the Steam out valve which are:

1. Opening the Valve, i. e., closing the switch operating the motor ofthe valve so as to furnish current to the motor to operate the motor insuch direction that it opens the valve. It requires approximately tenseconds for the valve to go from complete shut to complete open.

2. Approximately twenty seconds after the opening operation isstarted,the open test is carried out to make sure that the valve has completelyopened.

3. When it is desired to close the Steam out valve, the closingoperation is performed, i. e., the motor operating switch 49 is reversedso that power is furnished to the motor to operate the motor in thedirection so that the valve is closed. This closing operation likewiserequires about ten seconds.

4. Therefore, approximately twenty seconds after the closing is startedthe valve is tested to see that it has completely closed.

Carrying out these operations in detail, it will be assumed that thebrush I3 is in contact with the commutator segment 2 connected to lineI1, which furnishes power for controlling the opening operation of thevalve, the brush I3 being moved into this position either by crankingthe arm I2 manually, or by the operation of the timer motor. When thebrush I3 is in the center of the commutator segment 2, an impulse ofapproximately two seconds duration is sent through this brush, andthence through. the commutator segment 2 and line III, either bydepressing the impulse button |05, if operating manually, or by theclosing of the contact points I9 if operating automatically. The currentthrough line ||1 flows through switch IIB to line I I9 and coil 50,energizing the sameand closing motor operating switch 49, thereby makingpower available from lines |25 through switches |24 to lines |26 andtothe motor.

The control circuit is completed from coil 50 through line |20 andswitch |2| on the Steam out valve, which is closed when the valve isclosed, and thence through line |22 `and bus |23 to supply line 65. Assoon as the switch |24 closes, the switch IIO closes across poles |21and |20, so that current for energizing coil 50 and thus holdingswitches |24 closed is furnished from line |40 from the automatic ormanual relay rather than from line ||1 from the timer. Thus coil 50 isenergized and switch |24 is kept closed until the Steam out valve hascompletely opened,'at which time switch |2| opens, thereby breaking thecircuit through coil 50 and permitting switch |24 to open. As soon asthe Steam out valve begins to open, switch |4| will close, therebyclosing the circuit from line |23 through line |42 to red light |43 forthe Steam out valve, and thence through line |44 to line 60 to thesupply line 5S, thereby lighting the red light. When the Steam out valvewas closed and until it was completely opened, the switch |45 on theSteam out valve was closed, thereby supplying power through line |45 tothe green light |41 ot the Steam out valve, so that while the valve isopening, both the red and green lights for the Steam out valve arelighted. When the valvehas cornpletely opened the switch |45 opens.thereby turning ol the green light. Similarly, when the valve iscompletely opened, switch |48 opens, thereby breaking the circuit fromthe open test line |40 to line ||2 leading to test bus II3, while switchI|| closes, thereby completing the circuit from closed test line ||0 toline ||2 and test bus II3.

As stated above, twenty seconds after the valve has started opening, thebrush I3 is moved into contact with the commutator segment 2 connectedwith open test line |49, and when the brush is in the center of thissegment an impulse is sent therethrough and as the valve is completelyopen, the circuit is broken at switch |43 as heretofore described sothat nothing happens. However, if the valve is not completely opened,switch |40 is closed so that current will pass through switch |40 andline ||2 to the test bus I |3 to the trip relay coil I4 and thence tosupply line 55, thereby energizing the trip relay coil and breaking thecontact between switch I Il and switch point I5, thereby de-energizingthe alarm relay and causing the alarm bell to ring as heretoforedescribed. The operator can then see, since both thered and green lightsfor the Steam out valve are burning, that this valve is not completelyopen and can take steps to remedy the difficulty.

If the operator moves the alarm switch 15 so that it rests on contactpoint 30, thereby shutting oiI the alarm bell, as soon as the alarmrelay is again energized to permit operation, the bell will startringing and he must throw the alarm switch back to rest on contact point10. which is the proper position i'or it during operation. After theSteam out valve has been opened as long as necessary, and it is desiredto close the valve, the brush I3 is moved into contact with thecommutator segment 2 connected with the line |50, furnishing current forcontrolling the closing operation of the valve. In this way current isfurnished through line |50 and switch I5| to line |52, through coil 5|and line |53 and torque switch |54 to supply bus |23, thereby energizingcoil 5| y and closing switches |55, thus making current available fromlines |25 through switches |55 to lines |20 for operating the motor in adirection to close the Steam out valve. As switches |55 are closed,switch |5I moves from contact with line |50, to contact with poles |56and |51, thereby furnishing power from line |40 for energizing coiluntil the valve is completely closed, at which time'torque switch |54will open to cle-energize coil 5| and permit switches |55 to open, thusstopping the motor 48. As soon as the valve starts to close, switchesI2I,` |45 and 48 willclose. The closingof switch |45 completes thecircuit through the green light |41 for the Steam out valve, causingthis light to burn. However, since switch |4| does not open until thevalve has completely closed, the circuit through the' red light |43 forthe Steam out valve is closed, and therefore both the red and greenlights for this valve will be burning until the valve reaches itscompletely closed position. When the valve has completely closed, theswitch |4| is opened, thereby turning oil.r the red light |43. Likewise,switch I|| is opened to break the closed test circuit.

As' stated heretofore, the valve will require about ten seconds toclose, and therefore when on automatic control approximately twentyseconds after the vclosing operation has been started the valve istested to see that it has closed. To do this, the brush I3 during itsrotation moves into contact with a commutator segment 2 connected to theclosed test line I I0 and an impulse is sent through this line IIO andif the valve is completely closed the switch I|I is open, thus breakingthe test circuit, and nothing happens. However, if the valve is notcompletely closed, the test circuit is closed through switch to line ||2and thence through test bus I|3 to the relay coil I I4, thus energizingthis coil and breaking contact between switch |I6 and contact point II5, and de-energizing the alarm relay and causing the alarm bell to ringas heretofore described. The operator can then see that the Steam outvalve is not completely closed, since both the red and green lights forit will be burning brightly, during manual control the operator willwatch these lights to see if one operation has been completed beforeproceeding to the next and thereforethe test operation described aboveis only necessary during automatic control.

It will be noted that only live switches have been described inconnection with the Steam out valve, while the Vapor in," Vapor out, Airin, Air out, valves have six switches shown which are operated by thevalve stem. The additional switches in connection with these valves areinterlocking switches, so that the operation of these valves isinterlocked, and thus the Air in or Air out valves cannot be openedunless the Vapor in and Vapor out valves are closed, and vice versa.Thus it is seen by a glance at Fig. 1B that the switches |2| of the Airin and Air out valves through which current must flow to operate themotor operating valve 49 are not connected directly to the supply bus|23, but instead, the switches I2I of the Air out and Air in valves arefed from supply bus |23 through line I'6I having the interlock switches|60 of the Vapor in and Vapor out valves in series therein, and thencethrough lines |58 or |59 to the switches |2| of the Air out or Air invalves, respectively.

Thus, since the interlock switches |60 ofthe Vapor in and Vapor outvalves are only closed when these valves are in fully closed position,und since the current for voperating the motor switch for either theAirv in or Air out valves must iiow through the interlock switches |60of the Vapor 'in and Vapor out valves in series, then,

unless these valves are both closed, neither the Air in nor Air outvalve may be opened. Likewise, the switches I2| of the Vapor in andVapor out valves are not directly connected to the supply bus |23, butare fed from supply bus |23 through line |62 having the interlockswitches |60 of the Air in and Air out valves in series therein, andthence through line |62l to the motor switch 2| of the Vapor out valveor line |63 to the motor switch I2I of the Vapor in valve. In this way,since the interlock switches |60 of` the Air in and Air out valvesareonly closed when these valves are completely closed, it is apparentthat unless these valves are closed current for operating the motors ofthe Vapor in or Vapor out valves cannot be Obtained.

For a more complete description of the operation of the presentapparatus, reference will now be made to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, allrea-ctants to the case |65 are fed through inlet manifold |66, and allreaction products are withdrawn from the case |65 -through outletmanifold |61. The lines conveying the steam, vapor and air to the inletmanifold |66 are lines |68, |69v and |10, respectively, and havingtherein motor operated valves |1I, |12 and |13, respectively. The lines|14, '|15 and |16 convey the steam, vapor and air respectively from theoutlet manifold |61, and have therein motor operated valves |11, |18 andI19respectively. As`

heretofore stated, the particular timer mechanism herein described isdesigned to operate on a 45 minute cycle, or a 2700 second cycle, andthe commutator I is divided into 270 segments. Thus, the arm I2 willmake a complete revolution every 45 minutes, and the brush I3 willcontact a different segment 2 of the commutator every ten seconds.

It is to be understood, of course, that by changing the speed of the armI2,v or by increasing the number of segments in the commutator, thenumber of operations possible, or the time interval between theoperations, may be varied through Wide limits. However, the followingsequence of operations is illustrative of the operation of a timer suchas embodied in the present invention.

At the start of the cycle at 0 and 0", the vapor outlet valve |18 isopened. At 0 I0", when the brush I3 is moved to the next segment of thecommutator, the vapor inlet valve |12 is opened so that reactants nowflow into the case- |65 through line |69 and inlet manifold |66 and theproducts are removed through outlet manifold |61 and line |15. At 0'20"when the commutator brush I3 has moved into contact with the nextcommutator segment, the vapor outlet valve |18 is tested to see that ithas completely opened. At 0' and 30" the vapor'inlet valve |12 is testedto see if it has completely opened. If the valves are completely opened,the test circuit has been broken as heretofore described,

and nothing will happen. However, if the valves should not be completelyopen the alarm bell will be energized and the operator must then seethat the valves open. The vapor may remain `on stream for one-third ofthe cycle or I5 (i. e. I5 after the vapor inlet valve should becompletely opened), or |5'20 from the start of the cycle, the brush I3will come into Contact with the segment of the commutator which isconnected to the circuits for starting the closing operations of boththe vapor inlet valve |12 and the vapor outlet valve |18, therebyclosing these circuits and starting these valves to close.

vSince no operationsare performed from '30" to |20", or a period of|450", 88 segments of the commutator I will be dead and not connected toany circuit. At |5'30" the brush I3 will pass over a dead segment of thecommutator I' and at |540" the brush I3 will come in contact with thenext segment of the commutator I which may be connected to the closedtest circuits of the Vapor in and Vapor out Valves, and to the openingcircuit for the steam outlet valve, thereby testing the vapor Valves andstarting the opening of the steam outlet valve. At |550" the brush I3 isin contact with the next segment of the commutator which is connected tothe circuit for opening the steam inlet valve |1|. At |6'0" the brush isin contact with the next segment of the commutator connected to the opentest circuit for the steam outlet valve |11 and at ISIIJ the brush is incontact with the next segment of the commutator which is connected tothe open test circuit for the steam inlet valve |1I. The steaming maycontinue for approximately 61/ or the next 37 segments of the commutatorWill be dead.

At 2 230" the brush I3 comes in contact with the segment of thecommutator I connected to the closing circuit for the steam inlet valve|1I. At 22'40" the brush I3 comes in contact with the segment of thecommutator connected to the closing circuit of the steam outlet valve|11. At 2250 the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutatorconnected to the closed test circuit for the steam inlet valve |1|. At230" the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutator connected toboth the closed test circuit for the steam outlet valve |11 and theopening circuit for the air outlet valve |18. At 23 I0" the brush I3contacts the segment of the commutator connected to the opening circuitfor the air inlet valve |10. At 23'20" the brush I3 contacts the segmentof the commutator connected to the open test circuit for the air outletvalve |19. At 2330 the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutatorconnected to the open test circuit for the air inlet valve |13.

The regeneration with air may require approximately one-third of thecycle or I5', or the next 87 segments of the commutator will be dead. At38IIIl the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutator connected tothe closing circuit for the air inlet valve |13 and at 38'20" the brushI3 contacts the segment of commutator connected to the closing circuitfor the air outlet valve |18. At 38'30" the brush I3 contacts thesegment of the commutator connected to the closed test circuit of theair inlet valve |13, and at 38'40 the brush I3 contacts the segment ofthe c'ommutator connected to both the closed test circuit for the airoutlet valve |19'and the opening circuit of the steam outlet valve |11.At 3850 the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutator connected tothe opening circuit of the steam inlet valve |1|. At 390 the brush I3contacts the segment of the commutator connected to the open testcircuit for the steam outlet valve |11. At 39I0" the brush I3 contactsthe segment of the commutator connected to the open test circuit for thesteam inlet valve |1|.

The steaming may continue 51/2 or the next 31 segments of the commutatorwill be dead. At 44'30" the brush I3 contacts the segment of thecommutator connected to the closing circuit of the steam inlet valve I1I, and at 44'40" the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutatorconnected to the closing test circuit for the steam outlet valve |11. At4450 the brush I3 contacts the segment of the commutator connected tothe closed test circuit for the steam inlet valve |1|. At 450" the cyclehas been completed and a new cycle is started, the brush I3 contactingthe segment of the commutator which is connected to both the closed testcircuit for the steam outlet valve |11, and the opening circuit for thevapor outlet valve |18.

While various speciiic details of construction have been hereindescribed, it is to be understood that such details are not intended tolimit the invention in any way, and that various specific embodiments ofthe invention may be used without departing from the spirit of thisinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A system of control for a group of valves used in a cycle ofoperation and wherein during the cycle the valves are operated atpredetermined time intervalsI and the valves tested after each operationis completed, which comprises a motor for operating each valve, anoperating circuit for each valve motor, a controller switch forenergizing the motor operating circuits, means for maintaining saidmotor operating circuits energized for predetermined time periods, anindependent electrical test circuit for each valve, said controllerswitch being timed to malntain at least one valve motor operatingcircuit in energized condition while the condition of operation of avalve by a previously energized operating circuit is tested, a controlcircuit for deenergizing an energized valve motor operating circuit,switch means controlled by each valve operation and being operable whena tested valve shows improper operation to cause said control circuit.to stop the operation of a valve motor.

2. An automatic control for a group of valves which are operated over apredetermined time period to regulate the flow of uids during a processcycle and wherein at least two of the valves are in the courseofoperation at the same interval of time comprising motive means foroperating each valve, an operating circuit for each motive` means, atime control switch for energizing the operating circuits in sequence,4means for maintaining said operating circuits energized forpredetermined time periods, an independent electrical test circuit foreach valve, said test circuits being energized in sequence by said timecontrolled switch and after each valve motor operating circuit has beenyenergized for its predetermined time period, in order tov test eachvalve operation, a control circuit for deenergizing the motor operatingcircuits, switch means controlled by each valvesoperation and beingoperable when a tested valve shows improper operation to cause saidcontrol circuit to instantly deenergize the mot-or operating circuits.

3. An automatic control for a group of valves at least two of which areoperating during a predetermined time period of a. process cycle toregulate the flow of processing fluids, comprising electrically actuatedmotors for operating each valve, an electrical power source, a series ofcontacts. a time controlled energizer for supplying current from saidsource to said contacts in sequence, independent electrical operatingcircuits connected to certain of the contacts for supplying currenttherefrom to the valve motors, means for maintaining said operatingcircuits energized for predetermined time periods, an independentelectrical test circuit for each valve froml others of said contacts,said test circuits being energized in sequence by said time controlledenergizer and each after its motor operating circuit has been energizedfor its predetermined time period, in order to test each valveoperation, a control circuit fvor deenergizing the motor operatingcircuits, switch means controlled by each valve operation and beingoperable when a tested valve shows improper operation to cause saidcontrol circuit to stop the operation of the valve motors instantly.

HENRY THOMAS. JOHN M. PEARSON.

EDWARD J. NOPPER.

